Subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma on the face.

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma is a rare soft tissue sarcoma with a predilection for the lower extremities. Leiomyosarcoma of the face is very rare. Subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma has a higher likelihood of recurrence and metastases than that of the superficial dermal type.

OBJECTIVE

The dermatologic surgeon and pathologist should be familiar with the characters of subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma.

METHODS

We report a case of subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma on the face with the results of histologic examination and immunohistochemical studies.

RESULTS

Leiomyosarcoma of the face is exceedingly rare. The deep subcutaneous type is thought to arise from the smooth muscle of the vascular wall. The neoplasm we report here has deep tumor invasion, high malignancy grade (3B), and large tumor size. Wide excision and postoperative radiotherapy were performed.

CONCLUSION

Subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma has a higher likelihood of recurrence and metastases than that of the superficial dermal type. The most effective treatment is wide excision with 3-5 cm lateral margins and a depth that includes subcutaneous tissue and fascia.